Purchasing co-ops are unique because they offer a competitive alternative to conventional businesses that operates on the interests of investors before communities. The most common purchasing co-op is organized where individual store owners are the members who collectively own a larger company together that provides them with scaled purchasing services. Purchasing co-op members are deeply tied to their local communities; ensuring that the people at the heart of the organization are always as important as the bottom line.
When independent business owners in the same industry come together, their success is multiplied. Formally known as purchasing and marketing cooperatives, these companies can grow to be retail giants generating annual revenues in the billions of dollars. But who owns, controls, and benefits in these businesses? Not outside investors. It is the local business owners running their independent locations who collectively own the bigger company, which unites them and allows them to benefit from shared success. Purchasing co-ops might look like another corporation, but they are not franchises or chains where the company is controlled from the top down. They are co-ops controlled from the bottom up, where the members who work hard to serve their local communities are at the heart of decision making and are always first to benefit from the company’s growth. These co-ops often offer their individual member businesses unique brands, marketing and social media tools, and training services.
When a company is a purchasing co-op, the independent, local business owners are members who own and control the business democratically, through the one member, one vote principle. This empowers the group to work collectively in decision making that directly affects them. The members are also the sole shareholders and equitably share the profits of the business. In a world where more and more revenue is channeled outside of the local Main St. business community to outside investors, co-ops offer a sustainable alternative to help local economies thrive.
“Purchasing co-ops keep local community at the heart of their operations.”
What is INVESTED, BUILT, GROWN, MADE and SPENT with a co-op directly benefits the local community – make a bigger impact when you choose local co-ops.
Combat the widening wealth gap by empowering global communities with ownership and voice in the businesses that shape their lives.
hello@betterworld.coop
PO Box 5236
Manchester, NH 03108
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